Oh! That Vixen

Saturday, January 12, 2013

STILL trying to find the time to write something about what I've been up to, in terms of things I've been reading, watching, and listening to. At first I thought I'd do one big post, but now I see that it'd have to be something broken up into parts. I haven't quite figured out how to break it up in the best way, buuuut, I'm working on it. Maybe a version of my ^5s posts I used to? I don't know.

Anyway. As much as I like breaking paradigms like Terry Tate, and try to fight being a walking stereotype on a daily basis, I'm always pleased and amused when someone notices it. What I'm not prepared for, however, is for someone to blatantly have their whole world turned upside down and to have them blue screen on me.

When I started working at this new job, they offered me a monetary incentive to buy an American car. Well, there was one American car I had been dreaming of for oh, about 4 or 5 years now. This one:

The Dodge Challenger. Yep, since they rebooted it in 2008, I wanted one, but couldn't afford to fork over the crazy amounts of cash needed for gas. Well, guess what, this year's model goes 27 mpg on the highway. That's right, bitches. 27 MPG! So, what did I do? Well, I took my happy ass down to the dealership, walked right up to the first guy there and told him that I wanted that car, and that if he could match my payments, then I'd drive off the lot with a new car, and he'd make a sale. The rest of the conversation went like this:

Salesdude: "Okay, a Challenger? Well, have you looked at anything el-"

Me: "No. And I don't want to. I want that car, and that car only."

Salesdude: "But have you consid-"

Me: "Nope. I want to test drive that. car. right. there."

Salesdude: "Right. I'll get the keys."

And he matched my payment, and I drove off the lot. It's a really awesome car. It's the stock version, sadly, I could've gotten better but didn't feel like paying for it, and the price difference was enough that I couldn't justify it. But man, a RWD muscle car with 305 HP? FUCK YES. It's a lot bigger than I'm used to, with my semi-typical love for sport compacts, but damn, it is dead sexy. I almost got white, thinking I'd be like Kowalski in Vanishing Point, but ended up with the charcoal grey. I've had it a month now, and every day I go out to it, as I'm walking up to it, I think in my head, "Who's the bad ass motherfucker driving this car with two thumbs? Aw yeah, this girl."

Well, last week I was going to a meeting with some of my members. I parked my car, got out, and as I was walking away from it, an older dude, maybe mid 50s, stops DEAD IN HIS TRACKS. He does a double take, and we proceed to have the following exchange:

Old dude: "Wait...is that...is that...YOUR CAR?"

Me: "Yep, that's mine."

Old dude: "Is that even a girl's car?"

Me: "Nope, and that's exactly why I bought it."

An awkward 5 minute conversation ensued in which we talked about specs, me being kind of a gear head, and how beautiful the car is. (I know.) He attempted to apologize for being misogynistic or sexist, but I didn't care. I kind of think that's the kind of reaction I was going for. Most people stare or are really surprised when they see me in it, getting out of it, or getting into it. I can't decide if it's because I'm Asian, a girl, or an Asian girl, or maybe it's because I'm usually wearing heels or knee high boots. In any case, it tickles me.

Manz has been dying for a new car ever since I got mine, and he's been debating on what car to get. He was thinking the new Mini that's due out this year, he likes the new Subaru BRZ, and he's also interested in the Lancer Ralli Art for the AWD. Being in the PNW, you need AWD, I guess. I told him I thought it'd be funny if the Asian girl drove the American car, and the big corn fed Midwestern dude drove the Japanese sport compact. That'd be seriously breaking paradigms, no?

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Wow. I haven't posted in 8 months. It seems like a long
time, and kind of seems longer than that in a weird, contradictory way.

Anyway, for 2013, I was thinking that I'd like to expand the
format of this blog more, to be more open, since this blog started 7 years ago
now as a place for me to have a journal. In journals we're supposed to be more
open and honest with ourselves, but as I found out that "omg people
actually read my blog!" I kept what I wanted to cover here to a strict
list of topics, and tried to keep a sort of weird anonymity. I'm going to
change those things going forward, which I think will predominantly help ME
stay on track and true to what I want this blog to be for myself, but also may
be more interesting to any readers still out there. At the very least, I'll be
making myself happy, 'cause fuck all ya'll. I kid, I love you guys srsly.

I guess the ways I'm going to be opening up will include
real pictures of me and sometimes of me and manz together, as well as talking
about other stuff that interests me, like a limited amount of clothing, makeup,
weight loss and cooking as it relates to the Paleo/Primal lifestyle that manz
and I know ascribe to. Sometimes I've recorded myself singing and thought I
sounded particularly good, so hell, maybe I'll post some of that. I think I'll
also be more documenting the new things I'm doing in my life, both personally
and professionally. At the very least, this will be an interesting experience
for me, being more open and having this space be one that represents more of me as a whole person. A pretty awesome person, amirite?

With all that said, here's the most recent picture of me.
I've lost about 65 pounds in the last...couple years, maybe? With the bulk of
it being in the last year and a half.

Who's surprised I'm wearing that shirt? That's right, no one.

Manz and I took some pics to send his parents. This is what we sent them:

But I actually liked this one more, I don't know why:

I also updated my "Who am I" page, if anyone's
interested. I think it will help those who have read my blog before, and it's
especially good for those that haven't. I think my next few posts will be
discussing what I'm doing currently. What I'm reading, what I'm listening to,
what I'm watching, etc.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Seems like I don't have entertaining conversations with anyone else these days. Which is odd 'cause work is crazy and I don't get to spend much time with him these days.

Anyway. I had two separate conversations with him and one was funny, but I'm still scratching my head over the other one. The funny one:

We were in the car and Throw Some D's (the remix) started playing. Well, manz is quiet for a bit, and then:

Manz: "Oh, is that Andre 3000?"
Me: "Yes."
Manz: "Um...are they saying: throw some cheese on them grits?"
Me: "..."
Manz: "Do you like how I figured what they're probably saying 'cause I know Andre 3000 is from the South?"
Me: "I think they're talking about RIMS."
Manz: "Oh."

I had to laugh at that.

So we got our sound system FINALLY and our home theater is almost complete. When manz was unpacking the box, he says:

Manz: "Wow, Sony. They even included batteries for the remote, that's cool."
Me: "Yeah, that Sony. They really know how to treat a lady."
Manz: *stares at me* "You are CRAZY."
Me: "What? Why?"
Manz: "You just are."

I don't get it. Admittedly I was really tired, but I still don't get it.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Here's the thing. Last year, football season was TOTALLY RUINED for me for a couple of reasons. The first is thanks to our Fantasy Football Team. See, the year before, a few of them who shall go unnamed, pulled some real bitch moves that manz and I thought were super shady. Well, last year we didn't really want to participate, but no, we were promised that the shenanigans would not continue. Yeah. You guessed it, they did. Needless to say, I was pissed and wanted to cut a bitch. Instead, I stopped caring about fantasy completely and said fuck it.

Secondly, I got all excited when there were heavy rumors about AJ and Norv getting the boot. I thought, finally, the Chargers can get out from under the reign of AJ and maybe hire a new coach, maybe take Norv back down to Offensive Coordinator or something. But no, that didn't happen either. Then I was really mad. I said, GTFOHWTBS, and stopped caring about football, and even for a short time boycotted playing Madden too because I was so heated about football in general.

But now, I live in Fresno, and most people here due to proximity are either Raiders or 49ers fans, so now I don't know what the hell I'm going to do. I'm not amused with the Chargers, but I just CANNOT bring myself to be a Raiders fan even though Al kicked the bucket finally. And, I do like Patrick Willis, but is that enough to make me a fan of the Niners? I don't know.

So I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I don't know any football fans out here, so it's not like I have anyone to BS with about football either.

I will say that Trent Richardson (who was drafted by the Browns, so of course I know that) looks like the hipster love child of Busta Rhymes and Stevie Wonder, though.

Amirite?

This picture prompted a conversation with manz about how players who have bad vision handle things - I guess they all wear contacts or get Lasik? Manz said most of them wear contacts. Then he said:

"Well, EXCEPT ERIC DICKERSON!"

I felt like I knew that name, and then he shows me the following pictures:

I fucking LOVE that for this photo he kept his glasses on. That's real commitment to your glasses, man. REAL commitment. He must have been like me. When people try to tell me nicely that hey, you know, there's such a thing as contacts? I get so fucking mad. Like I don't know that? And what are you saying about my taste in glasses, you asshole? I usually just say some shit like, "Oh, I don't know, I think my glasses give me CHARACTER." and give them the onceover. You go, Eric Dickerson. Keep doing the damn thing.

Monday, April 23, 2012

It's been a while since I've done one of these, and I feel I must because I've got SO MANY pictures I've saved and been like, "I should post these!" Somehow I feel like the rest of you must not go on the interwebs, and like I have to share these with you 'cause you'll never see them otherwise. As if, right?

I think the last one I did of these was of breasts, so I figure I ought to give some homage to the booty. I should also say that I am now actively trying NOT to post obvious pictures of porn stars or anything...after so many years in/around porn, I prefer to consider the very attractive ladies I'll be posting pictures of as being sexy amateurs. (Shh, don't ruin it for me.)

DUDE. Where the hell do chicks like this go running at? Okay, so it's probably posed, but seriously? As much as I hate running I swear I'd run behind this girl. Slowly, though. Not too fast...I wouldn't want to pass her or anything.

She looks like she's having a good time. And the picture looks natural, like you just so happened to catch her walking in at just the right moment. I wonder if she can hold pencils in the under cheek area, though.

Am I turning into a dirty old man? 'Cause lately these gym sock type pictures have really been doing it for me. This girl can do my laundry ANY day. Or she could pretend to do my laundry, I don't care.

Another gym sock photo. I think she's wearing a leotard or something, but I really don't give a shit, 'cause I'm interested in her bottom half. The thigh high type socks are the best 'cause they end RIGHT under where the ass cheek ends. Homina.

PHAWG. Seriously, how come delivery girls never look like this? There needs to be some equal opportunity hiring over at UPS though, for real. Stop hiring dudes, UPS, hot chicks can deliver envelopes, too, you know?

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Now, I promised manz that I wouldn't be a stuck up citified biatch in Fresno, but there are a couple of things that have irritated me about the city, or the residents, or maybe both.

First of all, I had a fashion emergency here because I threw out most of my shit before we moved up. Now, I had a couple pairs of boots that were decent in terms quality and looks and I had bought them online for cheap. But I figured, hell, Fresno is hot and dry, so am I gonna need boots? Nah. So what happens the first week we're here? It rains. A LOT. So I rush out to try and get some decent boots. I go to Macy's and there's nothing. Then I check online to see where their nearest decent shoe store is, like maybe a Walking Company or something like that, since I usually wear the cute comfort shoe brands 'cause I'm a field rep and walk a lot for work. Well, there aren't any Walking Company stores here, closest ones are in the Bay. Okay, no problem. How about a Nordstrom?

There is NO FUCKING NORDSTROM IN FRESNO COUNTY.

When I bitched to manz about this he was like, "Now, now, remember what you said..." Sigh. I won't be a snob, but STILL. Where am I supposed to go when I have a show fashion emergency?? It's not Fresno's fault, it's just I guess retailers go where they know they'll make money. And I sense not many folks in Fresno can afford to shop at Nordstrom which isn't their fault either, but still. I can still be mad about that, can't I?

Now, onto the real reason for this post. Seriously, Fresno Yelpers? You guys are full of shit, and I pretty much hate most of you. There aren't many Yelpers out there, and there are a few cool ones as far as I've seen, but man...the rest of you need to GTFOHWTBS.

Perfect example. The highest rated Japanese restaurant in all of Fresno is called Pete's Teriyaki. I went there expecting some awesome shit. What I got though, was a low budget L & L. For real? The "famous" spicy chicken I read about thats "to die for"? That shit was a fried chicken breast they bought at Costco, cut it up, then they poured Costco teriyaki sauce mixed with Sriracha all over it.

However, down the street from me there's a real Japanese market with seafood called "Central Fish Company" and it got terrible reviews because...

...it smells like fish in there.

What. The. Fuck.

Yes, it did, but Jesus H. Christ...it's a fucking fish market...it's in the name, people!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

So. It's been a MONTH after I said I would start posting again, and I haven't. But! This time, I can honestly say it wasn't due to being worried if my posts were worthy. This time...it was about shit being crazy in me and manz' life.

Well, so let me break down for you the last couple months. I was on medical leave for a while, since about December. I don't remember if I ever talked about it here, and I'm too lazy/tired to go back and look. My fibromyalgia was getting bad, and then I found out I had a cyst. Well, of course I was freaked the fuck out because my mom had breast cancer. Long story short, they told me it was stress related and to take some time off of work. So I took about 3 months off, not all of it voluntary or intentional.

For a long time I wondered if I wanted to continue doing union work or not. I won't lie, the shit was brutal. But then, I had heard that my office in particular was really fucked up, and I still wanted negotiations experience. So I thought and thought about what to do. Well, then I found out I FINALLY am getting my diploma, so then I really, really wanted more negotiations experience, 'cause I didn't get 30k into debt for nothing, right?

Well, in a nutshell, what I wanted wasn't exactly compatible to what my boss wanted, so, I finally decided to say deuces and throw up the peace sign. Unfortunately, this happened right when manz got laid off. I was desperately applying at negotiations jobs all over the West Coast, 'cause our lease was up, and with no kids, and no mortgage, there was nothing tying us to SD. I finally got a call and went in for some interviews at another regional office of the same union I worked for, and they made me an offer. A huge raise to go work in Fresno (with a much lower cost of living) and I'd be able to be in on negotiations with Fresno County? I'm fucking IN THERE LIKE SWIM WEAR.

Just so you know, after the first interview, we went out to a Chinese restaurant for dinner, and this is what manz and I got. That shit was crazy. It reminded me of that one Twilight Zone episode.

After that we packed up all the shit we could into our two cars and manz and I drove up to Fresno and did the damn thing. We found an awesome place, and although we heard it was really hard to find a job in Fresno, manz got a call the same week we moved up, and got hired.

Shit is crazy, right? When things happen for manz and I, they always happen all at once. Which is awesome, and things really just keep looking up, which is also awesome. Fresno so far has been mad cool and the people and our jobs (and surprisingly, the food) has been good, so we're happy so far.

Speaking of food, while we were still up in Fresno during the interview process, we found a really good Korean restaurant. This poster cracked me up, because the dude might as well be a meme. "Hey girl..." That one was behind me.

This was right above manz' head:
He is WAY TOO HAPPY about his beer. For real.

While we're happy now, I don't think we'll be happy when the summertime comes 'cause it's hotter than hell out here, but hey, maybe it'll help us lose more weight.

tl;dr: Manz and I moved to Fresno and got new jobs and we're happy so far.

Anyway, so I've had all this shit I've seen in the last month or so that I wanted to share.

We were in Fry's, getting some tech shit for the new place, and manz nudges me and says, "Check this out, you must be the founding member!"

Yes, JDL, we did pose them this way, and we laughed our asses off in the middle of Ikea. "Ha ha, a ball kick!" Yes, we are retarded.

Driving back from Ikea, we saw this truck with that table in the back, and I was like, "Why the hell would you want to have crystal balls on your table legs??" Manz just says, with a straight face, "Well, sometimes the carpet wants to see the future too, you know."

Maybe I was tired, but it amused me that the back of the truck said it was a "Sweet Bottom". Don't ask.

This is a picture of the best fucking salad OF ALL TIME. OF ALL TIME! The cafe right outside of our new place serves BACON SALAD WITH BACON DRESSING. It's fucking delightful.

Also, a couple of pictures of my new place that I think most readers of this blog will appreciate:

This is in our living room area. Most awesome rug ever seen, EVER. Amirite?

I'm also very proud of this piece of art. One of our good friends bought it for me on my last berfday and I finally had the chance to have it framed. It's by one of my favorite comic artists, J. Scott Campbell. I hope to add a couple more to this wall.

This room hasn't quite come together 100% yet, but it's almost there. See, instead of getting a new TV, manz got a projector, and a 100" screen. We plan on mounting the projector on the wall on the left and mounting the screen on the wall on the right, but we're not sure yet how all the wiring will work out. Also, I think this room says, "Hi, we're liberal nerds because we love Stewart and Colbert and BSG."

Well! That's all for now folks...jumping into work like I have has been a little insane, but I did get that Logitech keyboard for my iPad finally, so I'm hoping to be able to post more often. Not having a commute and being much more stress free does seem to get my desire to write more going. Funny how that works.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

As must be obvious, I have a great love for this man. He was my favorite Star Trek captain, and made a damnned fine Professor X. He's got a great sense of humor, he thinks one of the best things he's ever done was his appearance on Extras...well, the list goes on. I mean, if I HAD to get with an older dude, Patrick Stewart would be at the top of the list.

So a couple weeks ago, I saw this picture on Reddit:

It was at that time that I found out that he wore this shirt in honor of his mother, who worked her ass off to support him and was beaten on a daily basis by his father. Now, I don't truck with "feminists" mostly, because the term femi-nazi came about for a reason, and because, well, I've never gotten along well with women that call themselves feminists. But the sight of this man wearing this shirt in honor of his mother,no less, well, I was...I don't know. Pleasantly stunned? He talks openly about the fact that he lived in a very abusive household, and he's quoted as saying: "I was brought up in a very poor and very violent household. I spent much of my childhood being afraid." I guess that's something I have in common with him - I spent much of my childhood being afraid, too.

Now that I think about it, it was that very fear that led me to all things sci fi and fantasy to begin with. I watched Star Trek because I hoped one day I might be able to leave the galaxy and get away from my family. I read comic books because I wished with every fiber of my being that one day I might be able to become a super heroine. I still wish that, as sad as that might sound. I should know better, though...most of the superheroes and heroines had a rough go of it, now that I think about it. Not one of them had a great life where everything was awesome all the time. Still, no matter how shitty things get, at the end of the day you're still a HERO. You know?